Bells, Boats & Wings: Best in Dag 2016

“Alliance’s mission is to provide the basic necessities
of life — food and shelter — to individuals and families
struggling with poverty and HIV/AIDS.“

THE REASON The annual Best In Drag Show, benefiting Aid for AIDS (a program of Alliance for Housing and Healing), returned to the legendary Orpheum Theatre and raised over $500,000. THE REVELERS Notably present were Kathy Griffin, Dot Jones, Melanie Griffith, Jennifer Cooley, Mindy Cohn, Ana Gasteyer, Kathy Kinney and soap star Donna Mills.THE RECAP The event inspired several smaller pre-fundraising events throughout Los Angeles in anticipation of the big day, greatly contributing to the record number of dollars raised.

Kathy Griffin opened the show with a monologue that jabbed at then presidential candidate Trump, then Best In Drag champion Patrick Rush guided the festivities, and relayed pledges and notes from the audience, while Kay Sedia and Dee W Ieye prodded the “ladies” with hard-hitting questions.

Highlight performances included a river boat costume, 10-foot eagle wings and Santa sleighing the missus:Miss Tennessee “Sheena Turner,” killed it with a rendition of “Proud Mary.” Channeling the Native American spirit, Miss New Mexico “Pokey Hanus” enthralled the audience with super-sized feathered costumes. Stirring the crowd with a literally “UP SOT” and roaring rendition of Barbara Streisand’s “Jingle Bells,” Miss New York Sandy Claus (aka Ethylina Canne) caught the “favor” of the “judges” and snatched the crown from the other contestants.